The discovery and exploration of Angolan freshwater fishes was largely effected by foreign scientists on expeditions organised by European and North American parties. Current knowledge of Angolan freshwater fishes is briefly described according to the main drainage systems that include Cabinda, Lower Congo, Angolan Coastal region including the Cuanza, the southern Congo tributaries, the Zambezi, Okavango, Cunene and Cuvelai drainages. A biogeographic model to explain the freshwater fish fauna of Angola is presented. The need for the conservation of Angolan freshwater fishes will rise with rapidly increasing pressures on aquatic ecosystems from urbanisation, dams for power, agriculture and human needs, habitat destruction from mining and deforestation, pollution, the introduction of alien species and overfishing. Keywords: Africa, Cuanza, Cunene, Cuvelai, Okavango, Southern Congo, Zambezi.